Powerband is the newest addition to the Master Built Series from Camacho. There are two other cigars in that line: Triple Maduro and American Barrel Aged. Triple Maduro has been a crowd pleaser since the blend debuted. And I liked American Barrel Aged enough to review it last year, and give it a 90 point rating. Needless to say, Powerband had some big shoes to fill if it was going to live up to …

More and more today, new cigar releases seem to be hyping up some sort of gimmick or “uniqueness” factor. Some work, some don’t, and it’s nice to see the industry moving forward in different ways. But most nights, when I’m looking for a cigar to unwind with after a long day, I don’t want something flashy. I want something simple and elegant. Enter CAO Pilon, …

Bugatti accessories have been around the cigar world for a while now, and they’ve always been solid performers. When I heard that they were going into cigar manufacturing, I must admit, I had some doubts. When you’re good at what you do, I want to see you do that, not something else. No one’s lining up to watch Jordan Spieth play football (although, after the recent Masters, …

If you haven’t met him, Ernesto Carrillo is one of our industry’s biggest assets. Hardworking and innovative, Ernesto is a true tobacco man whose cigar and blending knowledge ranks easily side by side with anyone who’s every walked this planet. Additionally, he’s a genuinely great guy who’s building his eponymous family business and brand alongside his son and …

When I got the call from Woody at One Village Coffee, a local company, asking if we’d be interested in carrying their line of coffees, I was skeptical…after all we are a cigar company. He grabbed my attention though with his passion and enthusiasm about coffee and by explaining the similarities between growing coffee beans and growing tobacco, and it didn’t hurt that he was a …

Cigar makers are always seeking out ways to innovate and bring new experiences to the cigar smokers. Some of these work well, while others, ehh not so fast my friend. Camacho successfully capitalizes on the ever growing popular trend of barrel aging by utilizing a blend of tobaccos placed in Kentucky bourbon barrels for 5 months with their new release, Camacho Barrel Aged.
My love for …

Football’s back and some things never change. Seahawks look dominant on both sides of the ball. Romo takes all the blame. And the commish’s list of friends is dwindling with every passing day. But among the constants, there’s always change. The Jags show signs of life. Johnny Football has come to save Cleveland. And the Patriots hold sole possession of last place. New year, …

After I finished this, I realized Steve R just wrote the same. Whatever, it just shows the communication gap that happens when you sit five feet apart. Plus, it’s an obvious vote of confidence for a really good new blend….
March Madness is in full swing around here, and between the basketball brackets and the ongoing push to enjoy as much daylight savings as I can, …

I’m bad at this. It’s been too long since my last review, but I’m making a promise to do better. So expect more this year, and if you’re bored, shoot me a request on a cigar you’re interested in and I’ll write something up.
Dunhill. It’s a brand you’ve likely heard of, but not necessarily for their cigars. They’re a pretty big …

OSA Sol marks CAO’s first major release in a couple of years – since La Traviata. And naturally, people are pretty excited about it, including myself. Well, I was excited….
Here’s what I liked about it: the construction, the burn, and the draw were perfect. Honestly, as good as it gets.
Here’s what I didn’t like: The flavor was ho-hum …

With a small cigar, there’s really not much to say. So I’ll keep it short and sweet.
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Cigarillos are my favorite small cigar. In between my normal rotation, or when time demands something quick, these are my go-to. First, they’re all tobacco....no homogenized wrappers or even, God forbid, paper like some of the other stuff out there. Second, …

La Aroma de Cuba has always been a brand to which I didn’t give much attention. But I’ve recently seen the light.
La Aroma de Cuba is an old Cuban brand with a great back story. Supposedly, the Cuban La Aroma de Cuba brand was a favorite of Winston Churchill. In 2002, Ashton released a Honduran-made La Aroma de Cuba which initially made a big splash. Quickly earning some impressive …

Over the last couple of years, Rocky Patel’s been a busy man. Decade, Patel Bros, 1961, Renaissance, and now, the upcoming 15th Anniversary…in addition to the innumerable private labels that are popping up all over the globe. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just takes a little bit of luster off of the old. And if you’ve forgotten, his older stuff is …

I must admit, when I first saw the advertisements for Cain I was completely turned off. I mean, c’mon the motorcycle….and is that the Undertaker? I don’t get it. But maybe I’m just out of touch.
So I held off as long as possible….until a couple appeared on my desk. And now I’m regretting not getting into these sooner. I should have known, because I …

The Ashton Classic line has been a force in the world of mild cigars ever since their release. They’re not cheap, but they deliver every time. A consistently well-made, mild Dominican handmade that has a long-time reputation for quality. Ashton was one of the first cigars I really enjoyed, but I later dismissed them for being too mild and uneventful for my tastes. I like Connecticut …

It almost feels a little weird to say this, but I actually like Magellan Dominicans.
If you had told me that I would actually enjoy a 55-cent, mixed filler, small corona that comes wrapped in a map (yes, a freaking map), I would have told you that you were crazy. But the truth is, Magellans are pretty good....actually better than a bunch of brands that cost a whole lot more.
When I first came …

It’s Christmas Eve and I’m feeling the holiday spirit all through my veins. Grinning from ear to ear, drinking eggnog, trimming the tree, decking the halls and singing Christmas carols all throughout the CI office. Actually I’m not, but I figured it sounded nice. In reality, I just sat down to do what I love – burn a tasty, tasty cigar. That puts a smile on my face every …

I’ve burned through most of the regular Graycliff lines (Professionale, Original, Crystal, Espresso, et al) and after each one, I kicked my self for dropping upwards of $20 on just one cigar (I know - I should have learned my lesson after the first one, but I’m an optimist). Don’t get me wrong, their stuff is not bad, and if I paid $5-8 I would be thrilled…but $20+, …

I’m a certified gadget nut. I love all kinds of electronic toys, because normally they make my life easier (which is always welcomed). Cigars aren’t normally a huge forum for gadgets, but I’m sure most of you have seen an electronic humidifier either within the pages of our catalog, on the web, or at a cigar shop. It’s been my experience that most people eye them up with …

CAO is a brand that makes a ton of great cigars, has accrued a lion’s share of 90+ ratings, and developed a devoted fan base of die-hard CAO nuts. Their cigars are definitely some of the best on the market today. A personal favorite of mine has always been the CAO Black. This is the unequivocal “everybody” or “anytime” cigar. It’s mild and smooth enough to …

Oliva has more than a handful of great blends in their portfolio, but no Connecticut among their signature lines…until now. Enter the NEW Oliva Connecticut Reserve.
Utilizing a striking Connecticut wrapper and Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers, this Oliva is a welcomed addition to their already healthy sized line. The band is very similar to their other lines, but with a stark white …

I burn a lot of cigars, so I’m always looking for something inexpensive, but enjoyable. I don’t mind spending $7-10 bucks on a cigar I like, but if I can find something good for less- bring it on. The eternal quest may just have ended. I discovered La Herencia Cubana, like an oasis in the desert, just at the right time. With SCHIP quickly approaching, most of the cigars are going …